DIVISION 9. - BACKFLOW PREVENTION
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Narragansett, RI.
The text
Sec. 78-201. - Purpose of division.#
This division sets forth the requirements necessary to protect the public potable water supply from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating, within the customers internal plumbing system, such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or backsiphon into the public water system. This division further sets forth the requirements necessary to promote the elimination or control of existing cross connections, actual or potential, between the customers in-house potable water systems, and his nonpotable systems.
(Code 1986, § 20-186)
Sec. 78-202. - Services for which backflow prevention devices are required.#
Backflow prevention devices are required on all residential, commercial, industrial and fire services in accordance with the following schedule: (1)
Existing residential customers. Installation of a residential dual check device or other such device as may be approved by the town will be required as deemed necessary by the town.
(2)
New residential customers. Installation of a residential dual check device or other such device as may be approved by the town will be required as a part of any new service application.
(3)
Existing commercial and/or industrial customers. Installation of a testable backflow or backsiphon preventer or other such device as may be approved by the town will be required within 90 days of the date of written notification ordering same. The town reserves the right to require such installation within a lesser period of time should the town determine that a hazard, actual or potential, to the public water system exists.
(4)
New commercial and/or industrial customers. Installation of a testable backflow or backsiphon preventer or other such device as may be approved by the town will be required as a part of any new service application.
(Code 1986, § 20-187)
Sec. 78-203. - Costs; ownership of devices.#
All costs associated with the required installation, maintenance, testing and replacement of any backflow prevention device will be the responsibility of the customer. Such devices shall remain the property of the customer, and the customer shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the devices.
(Code 1986, § 20-188)
Sec. 78-204. - Access to property.#
Duly authorized employees of the town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be immediately permitted to enter all commercial and industrial properties for the purposes of inspection and/or testing of any backflow prevention device.
(Code 1986, § 20-189)
Sec. 78-205. - Permit required.#
A permit from the town is required prior to the installation of any backflow device.
(Code 1986, § 20-190)
Sec. 78-206. - Customer's responsibility.#
(a)
Each customer shall notify the town relative to any existing or proposed cross connections within his potable water system, or of any proposed changes in operation that may require the addition or replacement of a backflow prevention device. Each customer shall be responsible for the elimination of or protection against all water system cross connections on his property.
(b)
Each customer shall, after having been informed in writing by the town, install, maintain, and test, and retest as necessary any and all required backflow prevention devices. The town reserves the right to develop a testing schedule for any and all customers. Certified test results shall be submitted to the town accordingly for each device.
(c)
Each customer shall correct any malfunction of his backflow prevention device which may be revealed by periodic testing or by actual operating conditions. After such correction, the device in question shall be retested. The town reserves the right to require the replacement of any backflow prevention device that it deems unrepairable or otherwise unfit to provide proper service and operation. Pursuant to section 78-49, the town reserves the right to terminate the customer's water service until the necessary repairs, replacement, and/or retesting of the device in question have been completed by the customer and approved by the town.
(Code 1986, § 20-191)
Sec. 78-207. - Technical standards.#
(a)
All backflow prevention devices shall be installed in accordance with applicable state and local codes and regulations, with such installation, subject to approval by the town. Such devices shall be installed immediately after the water meter, before any other branches or fittings.
(b)
The town reserves the right to specify the type of backflow device to be used for the customers specific application.
(c)
Bypasses around any backflow prevention device are specifically prohibited unless there is an operating backflow device on the bypass line as well. The requirement to have a backflow device on such bypass lines includes temporary bypass lines installed to allow for backflow device testing.
(d)
All new and retrofit installation of reduced pressure principle devices and/or double check valve backflow prevention devices shall include the installation of strainers located immediately upstream of such devices. These strainers shall be designed and installed to trap fine debris and material that could damage or render inoperable such devices.
(e)
The installation of a residential dual check valve may result in a potential closed plumbing system. Each customer shall make provisions for thermal expansion within his closed loop system by installing a thermal expansion device and/or pressure relief valves.
(Code 1986, § 20-192)